An analysis of returned medicines in primary care.

摘要: Objective: The number of pharmaceutical items issued on prescription is continually rising and contributing to spiralling healthcare costs. Although there some data highlighting the quantity, in terms weight medicines returned specifically community pharmacies, little known about specific details such returns or other destinations for wasted medications. This pilot study has been designed investigate types amounts both general practices (GPs) associated local pharmacies determining reasons why these have returned. Method: was conducted eight five GP surgeries within East Birmingham over a 4-week period. Main outcome Measure: Reason return medication. Results: A total 114 were made during study: 24 (21.1) 90 (78.9) pharmacies. comprised 340 items, which 42 (12.4) GPs 298 (87.6) with mean per being 1.8 3.3, respectively. Half attributed doctor changing stopping medicine; 23.7 recorded as excess supplies clearout often patients' death 3.5 related adverse drug reactions. Cardiovascular drugs most commonly returned, amounting 28.5 study. Conclusions: results from this indicate that unused impose significant financial burden National Health Service well social United Kingdom population. Further studies are examining precise nature possible solutions issues. © Springer 2005.